Our collective energy consumption in 2012 was almost three times greater than that of our grandparents’ back in 1949, according the the U.S. Energy Information Administration. As a country, we’re using more and more energy each year, and parents have an important role to play in teaching their kids the value of saving resources and “going green.” A nice side benefit? Momma may end up with some more “green” in her pocket once the monthly energy bills start going down!

Focus on The Positives

Kids love feeling like they’re helping out, so be sure to start your conversation about energy conservation by emphasizing all the great things your family is already doing to reduce energy. On your next bike ride, point out how great it is that you didn’t need to spend any money or fuel to get to the park! When you spend a day hiking or petting animals at the local farm, you can emphasize the fun of getting out of doors and enjoying yourself without the use of energy-heavy electronics, like television or computers. Showing your kids the joys of a less energy dependent world is the first step to getting them to see how they can contribute to making the earth a greener place.

Home Energy Saving 101

It can be hard enough to get kids to remember to brush their teeth, let alone flip a light switch. But according to The Daily Green, lighting accounts for 11% of the average family’s energy bill. Lead by example and let your child see you turning off lights when you leave a room or the house for the day, and they’ll gradually get into the habit of doing the same. If your child has electronics in her room, be sure to teach clear procedures for how to power everything down at night so you don’t end up paying to keep something turned on that no one is using.

In addition, when the cooler months come, you can work to keep your home energy-efficient and warm by sealing windows and doors using caulk and door stoppers. Let older kids help with these projects to give them a sense of responsibility, and be sure to tell them why it’s important to not let warm air out of the house during the colder months.

During the summer, try hanging your laundry out on a line as opposed to using your energy-dependent dryer. Kids can help you with this process as well, and the variety of doing a chore outdoors can get them feeling more excited than they usually might about the dull task of folding sheets and pillowcases.

Sites like www.energysavings.com give a better understanding of the options available for energy services in your area. You may be able to switch to a more earth-friendly plan, or change your billing to a time-of-use plan which allows you to save money by reorganizing your household chores to avoid using energy during peak consumption. While this shift in schedule can save you money and save energy, getting kids involved with a new routine can be a great way to teach them about making small household changes that carry a great impact for the world.